Though he has circled the globe, taught at two colleges, earned his doctorate in Scotland and lists Gore Vidal as a mentor, author Jay Parini, Ph.D., returns to Scranton as often as he can to see friends and family.

When he visited on Saturday, however, the occasion was more pomp and circumstance than catch-up.

Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library presented Dr. Parini with the Royden B. Davis, S.J., Distinguished Author Award as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the University of Scranton's library,

The university presents the award every year during a flurry of activities designed to help enrich the university community, said Charles E. Kratz Jr., dean of the library and information fluency.

"It's a milestone event," Mr. Kratz said, speaking of the 20th anniversary. "It is wonderful to be able to celebrate it in such a significant way."

Dr. Parini was born in Scranton and raised in Pittston. He received an honorary degree from the University of Scranton in 2005.

The city still figures heavily in his work, and he has written two books about the area - a collection of poems, "Anthracite Country," and a novel, "Patch Boys," and has referenced Scranton and its surroundings in others.

"Scranton is important in my imagination," Dr. Parini said.

A novelist, biographer, critic and poet, he has written many books and scholarly works. The film adaptation of "The Last Station," his 1990 novel about the last year of Leo Tolstoy's life, received two Oscar nominations.

"The Last Station" and his most recent work, "The Passages of H.M.," a novel about "Moby-Dick" author Herman Melville, were on sale at the award presentation dinner.

Currently a professor of English and creative writing at Middlebury College in Vermont, Dr. Parini graduated from West Scranton High School and Lafayette College.

Senior Kevin Demko, 22, a biology major, was among those who came to hear Dr. Parini speak. He said attending such events is important.

"You come out more well-rounded," Mr. Demko said.

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

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